Family planning involves controlling how you get children. Birth control methods depend on gender and how couples agree. There are those methods that are designed for males, and there are others designed for females. Despite couples undergoing birth control, unmarried peoples like teenagers who are highly sexually active may also use some of the family planning methods.  Most family planning methods are hormonally based, while others are non-hormonal based. If you are a woman interested in having a family planning procedure, consult family planning in McAllen for the services. Below are examples of birth control techniques available for you.

The major types of family planning methods

Family planning methods are classified into two categories. These categories are hormonal and non-hormonal contraceptives. They include:

•   Permanent birth control. Permanent birth control is a non-hormonal technique. It involves altering your ovulation process. This technique is done through surgery. You can choose tubal blocking or bilateral tubal ligation, which is the tying of your fallopian tubes.
•   Vaginal ring. A non-rusting ring is inserted inside your vagina to prevent getting pregnant during intercourse. The vaginal ring produces hormones that stop ovaries from releasing eggs. This ring also strengthens the cervical walls preventing sperms from entering the uterus.
•   The intrauterine device (IUD). This method can be either hormonal or non-hormonal. It involves a t-shaped copper device that is inserted through the vagina and placed inside the uterus. One of its ends blocks the cervical entrances while the other two ends prevent ovaries from ovulating. The intrauterine device is very powerful, and it can last for up to 10 years.
•   Prescribed pills. Pills are part of hormonal techniques.  Pills are classified into two categories where are those that are taken after having sex and others are taken before having sex. Most of the women using the pill may get pregnant due to the failure of consulting physicians. After intercourse, the pills produce some hormones, which stop ovulation and prevent the cervix from allowing sperms from getting into the uterus.
•   The patch. It is also a hormonally based technique. It is placed on the skin, most commonly on the upper arm or the thighs. The patch releases hormones which prevent your ovaries from releasing an egg and also closes the cervix to control sperm passage.
•   Female condoms (non-hormonal). Most women rarely use this technique. Buying a condom now and then might be tiresome and annoying. A woman squeezes the condom using her index finger through the vagina to block the cervical entrance. The condom then collects the sperms preventing them from getting to the uterus. A condom is risky since, failure to fix it the right way, a man can push it inside the cervix to the uterus, causing sperms to penetrate through.

Family planning is very essential since it controls overpopulation. Having the required number of children gives them good care and education. There are varieties of birth control methods, which are hormonal and non-hormonal. For more information about family planning, consult the Women & Clinic of the Rio Grande Valley for help.

Joyce Laroche